Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 225

225 /298

**TITLE: Even the Night Couldn’t Silence Her Light**

**Chapter 225: Found You**

Finished

The identity of the man eluded her grasp, like sand slipping through her fingers. The humiliation she had endured the previous night weighed heavily on her, a bitter taste she struggled to swallow.

Yet, she couldn’t simply dismiss it. The memory played in her mind like a haunting melody, forcing her to relive the moments again and again. The stench of alcohol lingered in the air, but intertwined with it was a delicate, familiar fragrance—cedar. A scent that had always brought one name to the forefront of her thoughts.

Jasper.

Her heart raced, pounding against her ribcage like a frantic drum. Could it really have been him?

Once that notion took root in her mind, it became impossible to shake. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became. A wave of urgency washed over her; she wanted nothing more than to rush home, pack her belongings, and board a flight back to Murica, vowing never to return. The fear he instilled in her was almost paralyzing, a phobia that gripped her tightly. Just the thought of uttering his name sent shivers down her spine.

But as she hurried through the streets towards home, her phone buzzed with a gossip alert that made her stop in her tracks. The subject was all too familiar: Jasper. The accompanying photo showed him at a restaurant, his face partially obscured, but the stunning woman beside him was unmistakable. She was breathtaking, captivating—a vision that seemed to radiate allure. It was the same woman from the hotel photographs, and seeing them together only fueled the speculation that she was poised to take the place of the powerless, nameless Mrs. Jackson.

The timestamp on the article indicated it was taken late last night. The pieces didn’t fit together.

It wasn’t him.

A sudden rush of cold water washed over her, dousing her anxiety and replacing it with an unexpected sense of calm. Relief flooded her senses. It wasn’t Jasper. He didn’t even recognize me. Thank goodness for that. This realization eased her anger, lightening her mood considerably.

As she entered the office, the gossip article flickered on the computer screen, a glaring reminder of the chaos swirling around her.

Windy, her colleague, looked utterly exasperated, raising a skeptical eyebrow at the man occupying the main chair. “I’m your psychiatrist, not your alibi. You can’t just use me like this, can you?”

Jasper, his eyes closed in contemplation, replied with a flatness that cut through the air, “Year-end bonus doubled.”

Instantly, Windy’s demeanor shifted, a bright smile illuminating her face. “Boss, what kind of poses do you need? I’m available anytime! Even bed photos!”

Jasper’s eyes snapped open, sharp and icy, sending a chill through the room. Windy quickly backtracked, her cheeks flushing. “Just kidding about the last part! Our genders aren’t compatible! Ahem.”

He diverted his gaze, focusing on the file resting on his desk. The name emblazoned on it read: Will. The events of the previous night surged back into his mind, a storm of emotions. He had witnessed Tatiana hand over money, and then that man had dared to kiss her. She hadn’t pushed him away; in fact, she seemed to welcome the transgression. That realization had sent him spiraling into a whirlwind of irrationality.